October

Hard to believe another full month has come and gone. This Autumn has been colder and wetter than usual and we've had to break out the coats and sweaters weeks earlier than we have in past years.

 We started October with my trip to Denver. We all enjoyed General Conference very much and have been basking in the lessons learned and challenges given. The second weekend in October was fall break and the kids had two days off school. The third weekend the boys tended Milo. It was also the primary program. The last weekend was the ward Fall Festival and our super fun family outing to our property.

In between weekends we were busy with every day life. Mercy took a session of swimming lessons and passed pod 2 (freestyle). Abraham worked all month on a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle book report. Hyrum continued with his guitar class and Cub Scouts. The boys are still going strong in karate class with Brother Lignell. The kids went to a birthday party at the pool and enjoyed the primary pizza party after their program practice. We did homework and music practice and chores and story reading and Family Night and on the whole there were very few opportunities to be bored.

Matthew has found the weapons program to be quite a bit more intense than he anticipated. He's mentally exhausted every day when he gets home and is struggling with all the sitting he does. He hasn't gotten as much done around the house during the evenings as he thought he'd be able to and we are all adjusting our expectations and working hard to support him during this more stressful time at work. He was able to spend a long day fishing, which was refreshing for him, and he served in the baptistery at the Temple with the youth on Stake Temple day. He's been attempting to shoot the pigeons, doves, and squirrel that frequent our back yard but so far has only successfully shot the swimming pool.

I've spent hours and hours working on a commissioned quilt. I've also kept plenty busy with the normal grocery shopping, meal prep, cleaning, laundry, etc. I attended two parent meetings at the school and have successfully steered clear of adding unnecessary responsibilities to my plate. I attended a funeral, had Heather over for dinner, met Hannah for lunch, reviewed the book for book club (The Great Divorce, by C.S. Lewis), and made Halloween costumes. We've been having choir practice at our house every Sunday at 4:00 pm and I spend time during the week practicing conducting. It's so hard! Matthew and I also got called and set apart as Trek Ma and Pa.

Mission Prep:
It took so much longer than I could have imagined for my back to feel better. Once it did, I found I was out of the habit of exercising every day and it was difficult to make time for it. I made it out a few times though, and rode my bike on the trainer a few times, so that's something. I attended the temple by myself this month, doing the work for one of my Chisholm ancestors. During conference President Nelson challenged the women to do a 10 day fast from social media. It was harder and easier than I thought it would be. I found I didn't miss the mindless scrolling, but I did miss having access to the ward Facebook page and reminders of friends' birthdays. President Nelson also challenged us to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, marking references to Christ. I need to read about six pages a day to stay on track and I've really enjoyed studying in my paper scriptures again. During my study, I've been especially impressed to note the ways in which the World is in opposition to the ways of Christ. I am starting to truly feel the way the people in Alma 19:33 felt, having "no more desire to do evil." I truly wish to rid my life of all influences that will not bring me closer to my goal of Eternal Life with God.

Meals:

Orange chicken

Chicken tortilla soup

Pancakes and sausage

7 layer dip

Hot dogs

Chicken noodle soup

Spaghetti and meatballs

Cuban grilled cheese sandwiches

Smoked trout chowder

Prosciutto wrapped asparagus

Quesadillas

Smoked trout omelets with asparagus

Chicken nuggets

Macaroni and cheese

Runzits (homemade rolls with pizza filling)

Carrot soup and cream biscuits

Chicken cordon bleu sandwiches 

German pancakes

Pork chops and salad